10 'grandparent scam' incidents under investigation in Essex County: OPP
Essex County OPP are warning residents as they investigate 10 reported incidents of a “grandparent scam” in the region.
On Tuesday June 21, around 2:34 p.m., the OPP Tecumseh Detachment investigated a fraud after being called to a Tecumseh address.
Police say it was determined that a resident received a phone call, a man identified himself as a lawyer currently representing their grandson who was just arrested for impaired driving. This lawyer provided case file and confirmation number to make the call sound more legitimate.
The victim was advised that his grandson was going to be held in front of a judge if he could not make bail and he would require $9300 in cash today and his grandson would be released and driven home.
"The OPP is reminding all Essex County residents to be extremely vigilant and to be alert for unsolicited calls or visitors that arrive at your residence. If anyone should receive a call in this manner, please contact your immediate family and inquire if anyone needs assistance. Please do not forward any funds without speaking to family members first and report it to the police," says Essex County OPP Insp. Angela Ferguson.
Since the original complaint of fraud was received, Essex County OPP is now investigating 10 incidents across Essex County that are very similar in nature that investigators believe they are all connected.
Police say all of these incidents have targeted seniors who have received phone calls advising them that a grandchild is in trouble and that a "representative" would attend their home to collect the money.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1 - 888 - 310 - 1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 - 800 - 222 - 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.